Maurice Brazier, executive chef of catering for the Anaheim White House, has been given one of France’s highest civilian honors, the Commandeur dans l’Ordre du Merite Agricole, recognition attained by only 400 others in the world. He was feted on Saturday, May 4 by 100 top chefs including Pascal Olhats, Yvan Valentin and Octavio Montoya at a dinner at a private villa in Anaheim Hills.

Trained in his native Burgundy, France, Brazier enjoyed a long career with the Hotel Meridien, where he trained chefs at various properties around the world. During that time, he received many awards and accolades including the title of Chevalier du Merit National by French President Francois Mitterrand for his lifelong dedication to the art of French cuisine. He also was appointed an Officer of Merit to the French Department of Agriculture and holds 1 of only 100 seats at the Academie Culinaire de France, an organization that has been governing French cuisine for nearly 200 years.